Manufacture of window bags



Dec. 15, 1953 D. BELCHER ETAL MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1949 Dec. 15, 1953 BELCHER ETAL 2,662,578

MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Filed July 7, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 15, 1953 BELCHER ET AL 2,662,578

MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Filed July '7, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 15, 1953 D. BELCHER ET AL 2,662,578

MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Filed July 7, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 15, 1953 D. BELCHER ETAL 2,662,578

MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Filed July 7, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 5/ 577 FIG a W 9 69 Dec. 15, 1953 Filed July 7, 1949 D. BELCHER ET AL MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 15, 1953 D. BELCHER ETAL 2,662,578

MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Filed July 7, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. l2.

Dec. 15, 1953 D. BELCHER ET AL MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 7, 1949 Patented Dec. 15, 1953 MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW BAGS Daniel Belcher, Minneapolis, Mum, and Russell J. Williams, Richmond Heights, and Milton J. Heimos, Lemay, Mo., assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application July 7, 1949, Serial No. 103,510

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to the manufacture of window bags and more particularly to the manufacture of window bags of the type having a window of flexible transparent sheet material such as cellophane.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for the continuous and automatic production of window bags of the above-mentioned type wherein the window comprises a relatively small patch of the windowforming material, rather than comprising a strip extending throughout the height of the bag, thus effecting a substantial saving in the amount of Window-forming material required in manufacture.

The apparatus generally comprises means for supplying to a bag machine a continuous web of bag material having a series of window openings therein spaced at equal intervals corresponding to the length of bags to be made in the bag machine, together with a patch feeder for feeding patches of window-forming material, such as cellophane, into position over the window openings in the web at a fixed point in the path of travel of the web, the patches being fed in the direction of travel of the web and at substantially the same speed as the speed of the web, and a patch former for intermittently forming patches from a continuous strip of window-forming material and delivering the patches to the patch feeder for application to the web. The patches may be adhesively secured to the web by providing means for applying adhesive to the web around the window openings therein. The web also may have the window openings cut therein in the course of its travel to the bag machine by a cutter operating in properly timed relation to the speed of the web, the patch feeder and the patch former. The apparatus is particularly constructed to form and apply patches of cellophane and incorporates special features for operation upon this material, which is otherwise difficult to work. Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions and methods hereinafter described, the

scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one side of an apparatus embodying the invention, a bag machine being illustrated generally diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the other side of the apparatus, partly in section on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2, illustrating per se a cutting unit of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a coating unit of the apparatus per se, an intaglio roll of this unit being broken away;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a cellophane unit of the apparatus per se;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line I l-l I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of certain drive mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line |3I 3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a completed composite web formed by the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a window bag made from the web of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is an enlarged section taken on line I I6-I6 of Fig. 15.

' the front wall of the bag is a window opening I. In the inner ply or liner 5, in register with apersiture 1, is a larger window opening 9. At II is shown a window of flexible transparent sheet material such as cellophane which closes the openings 1 and 9 while permitting the contents of the bag to be seen. The window consists of a ply of the bags.

rectangular patch of the transparent sheet material sandwiched between the plies in position closing the openings and adhered to the outer ply by adhesive I3 and to the imier ply by adhesive I5. As illustrated, the patch extends lengthwise of the bag. Its width is sufliciently greater than the diameter of the larger opening 9 to allow for application of adhesive I (and I3) but considerably less than the width of the front bag wall. Its length is greater than the diameter of the opening 9, but less than the length or height of the bag.

The bags I are automatically made in a continuous process by a conventional bag machine 3 (Fig. 1) from a special two-ply web W (Fig. 14) consisting of a printed paper web I! having a series of the window openings 1 therein spaced at equal intervals along its length, and a liner web Is having a series of the window openings 9 therein registering with the openings 1, with patches I I sandwiched between the plies in position closing the openings and adhered to the printed paper combining guide roll 29 where the patches I I are intermittently delivered by the cellophane unit 2! into position covering the window openings and become adhered to the web by the adhesive l5. Then it proceeds into the bag machine.

More particularly, the unit 2 I is shown to comprise main vertical side frames 3| and 33, the frame 3| being on the left as viewed in the direction of travel of the liner web I9, and the frame 33 being on the right. These frames extend parallel to one another longitudinally of the unit and are transversely spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the widest web the apparatus is to accommodate. At the rearward ends of the frames are brackets and 31 for supporting an arbor 39 carrying the liner web roll L. The cutter unit 23 (Figs. 1-6) extends transversely across the apparatus from frame to frame forward of the roll L, being supported at its ends on the tops of the frames. It comprises left and rightside frames 4| and l3 tied together by an upper pair of channel bars and a lower pair ply I? by adhesive I3 and to the liner'ply I9 by" adhesive I5. This invention is particularly concerned with the manufacture of the web W, which, in the bag machine, is formed into a tube,

the latter being formed into individual bag tubes and then into bags I. The printed web I1 forms outer ply 3 of the bags; the liner web I9 forms the inner ply of the tube and hence forms the inner The openings I (as well as the openings 9) are spaced apart longitudinally of the individual bag tubes from which the bags are ,made. The bag machine B may be of any suitable the outer ply of the tube and hence forms the 6 ,-web a distance corresponding to the length of the" 1 tube and forming the tube into bags in a continu .ous process. Such machines are well known in the art.

Apparatus of this invention for forming the web W is shown generally to comprise a webthe bag machine B. This unit includes a cutter unit 23 having means for cutting the window openings 9 in the liner web I9, a coating unit 25 havingmeans for applying an adhesive such as paste in a pattern around the openings, and a cellophane unit 21 having means for forming the patches II from a continuous strip ofcellophane 4 and delivering the patches into position over the window openings 9 where they become adhered to the liner web I9. The web I3 with the patches I I adhered thereto travels into the bag machine,

where it is combined with the printed'web I! to form the composite web W, and the latter travels on through the bag machine where it is tubed and then formed into bags.

The liner web I9 is supplied from a web supply roll L mounted at the rearward end of the unit 2 I.

,It is guided for travel from the supply roll through the unit 2I to the bag machine in a predetermined path by various web guiding means to be described, being pulled from the supply roll by web feeding elements in the bag machine B at a predetermined speed dependent upon the :speed at which the bags are formed. In the course of its travel through the unit 2!, the liner Then it travels forming unit 2I mounted at the entrance end of I of channel bars 41. The upper bars 45 are spaced apart longitudinally of'the apparatus i. e., in the direction of travel of the web, and support a pair 'of transversely spaced bearing guide members 5!.

These are spaced equal distances on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the cutter unit. They have vertical bearing guideways 53. Bearings 55 are vertically slidable in these guideways. A cutter roll 51 is journalled in the bearings. Fixed on this roll is a cutting die 59 having a cutting edge GI of such geometrical contour as to cut the openings 9 in the liner web I9 in coopera- 1 -tion with an anvil roll 63. The bearings 55 are .vertically adjustable to adjust the elevation of the cutter roll 51 by means of vertical adjusting screws 65. These screws are threaded at their lower ends into the bearings and extend upward through sleeves 61 adjustably threaded into the tops of the bearing guide members 5|. The screws have portions 69 threaded in the sleeves. At their upper ends the screws have handwheels II for turning them.

The lower bars 41 are located under the upper bars 45 and support a pair of transversely spaced lower bearing guide members 13 under the upper bearing guide members 5|. The bearing guide .members 13 have vertical bearing guideways I5. Bearings 11 are vertically slidable in these guide- --ways. bearings. It comprises a hardened roll having The anvil roll 63 is journalled in these axially spaced pins I9 projecting from its periphcry for piercing the pieces of liner web material cut from the liner web I9 by the cutting die 59.

The bearings I1 are vertically adjustable to adjust the elevation of the anvil roll 63 by means of-verticaladjusting screws 8|. These screws are-threaded at their upper ends into the bearings TI and extend downward through holes in the bottoms of the bearing guide members 13. Collars 83 are pinned to the screws above the bottoms of the members 13 and bear against the bottoms of the members I3 to hold up the screws and the bearings 11. At their lower ends below the members I3 the screws have handwheels 85 for turning them.

The cutter roll 51 and the anvil roll 63 are positively driven through a cutter drive mechanism generally designated 81 in Fig. 4. As shown, this drive mechanism includes an upper shaft 3.9.an'd

a lower shaft 9| journalled in bearings in the 'right's ide cutter frame 43 and in bearings in an outboard bearing bracket 83 carried by the frame 43. A gear on the upper shaft 89 meshes with a gear 9'1! on the lower shaft so that these shafts may be rotated in opposite directions. On the upper shaft 88 is a drive sprocket 99, driven by means to be described. The shaft 39 is coupled to the cutter roll 5! by shafting including universal joints Ill! and a shaft I53. The shaft 9| is coupled to the anvil roll 53 by shafting including universal joints I55 and a shaft I517. The universal joints allow for adjustment in elevation of the cutter and anvil rolls.

The liner web I9 is led off the bottom of the web roll L and travels horizontally between the cutter roll 5'? and the anvil roll 63, being guided for such travel by idler guide rolls IeS and II I mounted on the main side frames 3! and 33 rear- The ward and forward of the cutter unit 23. cutter and anvil rolls are adjusted in elevation so that, as they rotate, upon every revolution of the rolls the cutting edge SI of the cutting die 59 cuts through the web against the anvil roll to out out a. piece or" web material and thus form the window openings 9 in the web. The anvil roll is so phased with respect to the cutter roll that the pins i9 pierce the cut-out piece of web material and carry it around with the anvil roll. The Gutter roll is driven clockwise and the anvil roll counterclockwise as viewed from the left side of the cutter. The pins It are raked in the direction of rotation of the anvil roll. When the cut-- ting die 59 cuts out the pieces of web material the pins extend through the pieces into a depression II3 in the die bounded by the cutting edge SI of the die. The cutter unit also includes means for stripping the waste paper pieces from the pins I9. This means comprises a stripper blade I I 5 having a beveled stripping edge Ill positioned to enter between a piece of waste paper and the anvil roll to strip the paper from the pins. The blade II5 has notches lit in its stripping edge II'I provid ing passageway for the pins I5 projecting from the anvil roll. The blade is mounted for transverse adjustment on a slotted transverse bar I2I carried by slotted arms 23 which are fixed to but vertically adjustable on the inner sides of the lower bearing guide members I3. Thus, the blade H5 is vertically and transversely ad ustable properly to position its beveled edge II! for stripping the pieces of waste paper from the pins "I3 and properly to position the notches H9 in respect to the pins.

From the idler roll H I, the web 59, now having the window openings 5 therein, travels downward and around an idler guide roll l3I, thence generally horizontally under the coating unit 25, and thence upward around a pair of idler guide rolls I33 and I35 and throu h the coating unit. The latter, illustrated in detail in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, comprises an intaglio coating roll I37 for applying an annular pattern of paste around each of the window openings 5 in the liner Web III. The intaglio roll has two diametrically opposed raised peripheral surface areas I39 which lie in a cylindrical surface. These areas I39, being raised, are disposed radially outward of the remaining surface areas I lI of the roll between the areas I 39 is suchthat the paste pattern is applied around two successive window openings upon each revolution of the roll.

Paste is applied to the intaglic r011 by a paste block H9 is a lever I8I.

cated at 2I'I.

.roll I45 rotating in a paste pot I 41.. The paste roll I45 is positioned to transfer paste to the raised areas I39 of the intaglio roll, particularly into the paste grooves I43 in these areas. A doctor blade I49 is located to scrape paste from the paste roll I45 to control the amount of paste applied to the intaglio roll. Another doctor blade I5I is located to scrape against the raised areas of the intaglio roll ahead of the line of engagement of the intaglio roll and the liner web l9 to clean all the paste off the raised areas of the intaglio roll except that retained in the pastereceiving grooves I43. The liner web is is pressed against the intaglio roll for transfer of paste from the grooves I43 to the web by means of a soft surfaced idler presser roll I53, for example, a rubber roll.

In greater detail, the coating unit 25 comprises vertical side plates I 55 having outwardly extending bottom flanges I5? which rest upon frame members I59. At the forward ends of the side plates are upwardly extending members I5I. The intaglio roll I3! is fixed on a shaft I53 journalled in bearings I65 at the upper ends of members IGI. The side plates are adjustably fixed to the frame members I59 by bolts l5? extending through longitudinal slots I55 in the flanges I5'I. They are adapted to be moved longitudinally of the apparatus to adjust the position of the intaglio roll by means of adjusting screws I'FI. These screws extend longitudinally of the apparatus, being held against axial movement but being rotary in angle brackets I'I3 fixed to the frame members I59, and being threaded through blocks I15 fixed to the rearward edges of the side plates I55.

The paste roll I45 is fixed on a shaft Ill journalled in bearing blocks HS. These slide on tracks I8I and are adjustably fixed to the side plates I55 by bolts I83 extending through longitudinal slots I85 in .the side plates. They are adapted to be moved longitudinally of the apparatus to adjust the position of the paste roll I45 relative to the intaglio roll I37 by means of adjusting screws I8! which are rotary in the blocks I I5 but fixed against axial movement therein. The doctor blade I45 is carried by a shaft I 89 journalled in the bearing blocks il Fixed on this shaft adjacent the left bearing An adjusting screw I 53 is threaded through the lever with its lower end bearing against a block I fixed to the left bearing block IIfi. Another screw I9? is threaded in a the block I95 and extends through a notch its at the end of the lever. The screw IE3! has a shoulder ZOI bearing downward against the end .of the lever to keep the lever ward. The screw I93 keeps the lever from moving from moving downward. The doctor blade i5! is carried by a shaft 203 journalled in bearings at the forward ends of the side plates I55. On the left end of this shaft is a lever 295. A. spring 26'! attached to the lever biases the doctor biade toward the intaglio roll I31. Movement of the doctor biade toward the roll I3! is limited by a screw 259 vthreaded through the lever and bearing against a block 2II fixed to the left side plate I55, The

presser roll I53 is carried by a pair of arms 2I3 extending from a transverse bar 2E5 fixed at its ends in the main side frames 3: and 35, as indi- The cellophane unit 27, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, l0 and 11, comprises left and right vertical side plates 223 and 225. These extend longitudinally of the apparatus and are transversely spaced a distance greater than the width-of the cellophane strip to be separated into patches. At the rearward ends of the side plates 223 and 225 are upwardly extending brackets 221 having bearings 229 at their upper ends for journalling an arbor 23! carrying a supply roll C of cellophane strip 235. The latter is pulled from the supply roll and fed forward through the cellophane unit by upper and lower feed rolls 239 and 24!. The lower roll 24! is fixed on a shaft 242 journalled in bearings 243 fixed in the lower ends of slots 245 extending down from the upper edge of the vertical side plates 223 and 225. The upper roll 239 is fixed on a shaft 245 journaled in bearings 241 which are vertically slidable in the slots. The bearings 241 are held in the slots by screws 249 adjustably threaded in cap plates 251. The latter are resiliently held against the upper edges of the side plates by compression springs 253 reacting from nuts 255 on studs 251 threaded into the upper edges of the side-plates through openings in the cap plates 25 I. The feed rolls 239 and 241 are driven at such speed as to feed the cellophane strip at a speed lower than that of the liner web 19, as will be made clear.

The cellophane strip issuing from between the feed rolls 239 and 2 travels through a first cutting unit 259 adapted to make two aligned spaced transverse cuts in the strip without completely severing it. The unit 259 comprises a lower anvil roll 2E3 fixed on a shaft 264 journalled in bearings 295 fixed in the lower ends of slots 291 which extend down from the upper edges of the vertical side plates 223 and 225. Cooperating with the anvil roll to cut the cellophane strip is a rotary cutter member comprising a blade holder 299 fixed on a shaft 21I journalled in bearings 213 which are vertically slidable in the slots 261. Studs 215 extend upward from the bearings 213 slidably through sleeves 211 threaded in head members 219 on the upper edges of the side plates 223 and 225 and also through apertures in bridge members 280 located above the head members 219. Nuts 28! are threaded on the upper ends of the studs to adjust the elevation of the bearings 213. The bearings are biased downward by compression springs 283 surrounding the studs and located between the head members 219 and the bearings. The blade holder 259 comprises a roll having a transverse groove 285 receiving a blade 281. The latter has two individual cutting edges 289 spaced along its length and is fixed in the groove by suitable fasteners 29f with the cutting edges protruding from the periphery of the blade holder roll 269. As illustrated, each of the cutting edges 289 is about one-fifth as longas the width of the cellophane strip. The centers of the edges 289 are spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the cellophane strip about one-fifth the width of the cellophane strip.

Th cellophane strip issuing from the cutting mechanism 259 is guided and fed forward by a strip feeding mechanism, generally designated 293, comprising a pair of upper endless feed belts 295 and a pair of lower endless feed belts 291. The strip is guided and fed forward by and between opposed horizontal reaches 299 and 30! of the upper and lower belts. The lower belts 291 are trained around rearward and forward pulleys 303 and 305, respectively, and around tensioning pulleys 391. The rear pulleys 303 for the lower belts are fixed on a shaft 309 journalled in bearings 3H fixed in the lower ends of slots 3I3 in the side plates 223 and 225. The forward pulleys 305 for the lower belts are loose on a'shaft 315 Journalled in bearings 311 fixed in the lower ends of slots 3l9 in the side plates 223 and 225. The tension pulleys 301 for the lower belts are carried by a shaft 32| mounted at its ends in arms 323 which extend radially from a transverse bar 325 spanning the side plates. The arms are clamped to the bar in such angular position as properly to tension the lower belts. The pulleys for the lower belts are so located as to guide the two lower belts for travel in transversely spaced vertical planes, centered in respect to the spaced cutting edges 289 of the cutting mechanism 259,

as illustrated in Fig. 10.

The upper belts 295 are trained around rearward and forward pulleys 333 and 335, respectively, and around tensioning pulleys 331. The rear pulleys 333 for the upper belts are fixed on a shaft 339 journalled in bearings 34! vertically slidable in the slots 313. The bearings 30] are biased upward by springs 343 compressed between the lower bearings 3H and the bearings 3H, and are held downward by screws 345 threaded in the head members 219. The forward pulleys 335 for the upper belts are loose on V a shaft 341 journalled in bearings 349 vertically slidable in the slots 3|9. The bearings 349 are biased upward by springs 35l and held downward by screws 353 threaded in the head members 219. The tension pulleys 331 for the upper belts are carried by a shaft 355 mounted at its ends in arms 351 which extend radially from a transverse bar 359 spanning the side plates 223 and 225. The arms are clamped to the bar in such angular position as properly to tension the upper belts. The pulleys for the upper belts are located to guide the upper belts for travel in the same vertical planes as the lower belts.

Located between the rearward pulleys 303 and 333 and the forward pulleys 305 and 335 is a second strip cutting unit, generally designated 363, adapted to complete the cutting of the strip across the line of severance initiated by the cuts made by the cutting edges 289. The unit 363 comprises a lower anvil roll 365 fixed on a shaft 366 journalled in bearings 301 fixed in the lower ends of slots 369 which extend down from the upper edges of the vertical side plates 223 and 225. The anvil roll is peripherally grooved to receive the horizontal reaches 301 of the lower belts 291. Cooperating with the anvil roll to cut the cellophane strip is a rotary cutter member comprising a blade holder 313 fixed on a shaft 315 journalled in bearings 311 which are vertical- 1y slidable in the slots 359. Studs 319 extend upward from the bearings 311 slidably through sleeves 381 threaded in the head members 219 and through apertures in the bridge members 280. Nuts 383 are threaded on the upper ends of the studs to adjust the elevation of the bearings 311. The bearings are biased downward by compression springs 385 surrounding the studs and located between the head members 219 and the bearings. The blade holder 313 comprises a roll having a transverse groove 381 receiving a blade 389 and having annular peripheral grooves 33! receiving the horizontal reaches 299 of the upper belts 295. The blade 339 has three individual cutting edges 383 spaced along its length protruding from the blade holder roll 313 to out the cellophane strip between the cuts previously made by the cutting edges 289 and transversely outward from the latter cuts to the edges of the cellophane strip, thereby to sever the strip completely across its width. The blade 389 is fixed in the groove by suitable fasteners 395.

The horizontal reaches 299 of the upper belts are received in the two notches between the three cutting edges 393.

. .The forward end of the cellophane strip leaving the strip feeding mechanism 293 enters a patch feeder, generally designated 40!, which is. adapted to feed patches at a speed substantially.

equal to the speed of travel of the liner web I9, this speed being higher than the speed at which the strip is fed forward by the draw rolls 239 and 24! and by the strip feeding mechanism 293. The patch feeder 40! comprises an upper endless feed belt 403 and a lower endless feed belt 495. The strip is fed forward by and between opposed horizontal reaches 401 and 499. of the upper and lower belts. The lower belt 499 is trained around rearward and forward pulleys 4! l and M3, and around a tensioning pulley M9. The rearward pulley 4!! for the lower belt 499 is fixed on the shaft 3! between the pulleys 395. The forward pulley M3 for the lower belt is carried by a shaft 4!! mounted at its ends in the cellophane unit side plates 223 and 225. The side plates have forward extensions 4!!) located above the level of the lower horizontal reach of the upper belt 403, and extending forward from the forward pulley M3 for the lower belt 495. The tension pulley M5 for the lower belt is carried by a shaft 42! mounted at its ends in arms 423 which extend radially from the bar 325. The arms are clamped to the bar in such angular relation as properly to tension the belt 405.

The upper belt 403 is trained around rearward and forward pulleys 42'! and 429, and around a tensioning pulley 43!. The rearward pulley 42'! is fixed on the shaft 34! between the pulleys 335. The forward pulley 429 is carried by a shaft 433 mounted at its ends adjacent the forward ends of the side plate extensions 4 I 9. The tension pulley 43! is mounted at the end of an arm 435 which extends radially from the bar 359. The arm is clamped to the bar in such angular position as properly to tension the belt. The horizontal reach 497 of the upper belt 403 is pressed toward the horizontal reach 409 of the lower belt 405 by a presser roll 439 carried by a lever 44! pivoted on a bracket 443 attached to the side plate 223. The roll 439 is biased down against the horizontal reach of the upper belt by a spring 445 connected between the bracket and the lever.

Rearwardly adjacent the pulley 429 is a roll dial carried by a transverse shaft 449 mounted at its ends in the side plate extensions 4l9. This roll has an annular peripheral groove 45! deeper than the thickness of the belt 493. The belt 403 travels within this groove. The cello-' phane unit 2'! is mounted on a platform 453 supported in such longitudinal position that the portion of the horizontal reach of the upper belt 493 forward of the pulley 4I3 engages the liner web I9 travelling over the combining roll 29, and in such transverse position that the cellophane strip is longitudinally aligned with the cutting die 59 and the paste grooves I43. The roll 441 engages the liner web I9 somewhat forward of the combining roll. The latter is journalled at its ends in the main side frames 3! and 33. The cellophane unit is equipped with horizontal table plates 45'! on opposite sides of the horizontal reach of the lower belt 405 forsupporting the patch being fed forward b the belts 403 and 405. 7 Patches I! delivered by the patch feeder 49I of the cellophane unit are combined. with'the linerweb I9 at th combiningguide r011. 2 9-, 1

10 a manner that will be made clear. The liner web I9 with the patches II adhered thereto travels from the combining roll into the bag machine B. The latter generally includes frames 459 having elevated roll-holding brackets 46! at their rearward ends for supporting anarbor 433 carrying a supply roll P of the printed web I '5. Web H has previously had window openings '5 cut therein prior to bein" wound up into the supply roll P. The printed web ll is pulled from the supply roll P through a coating unit 49? in the bag machine which applies paste it in a pattern around the window openings i. Coating unit 461 is a conventional part The printed of the conventional bag machine. web ll, coated with paste, meets the liner web i9 (having the patches II adhered thereto) at a combining roll 469 where the printed web becomes adhered to the patches I I by the adhesive 3 to form the composite web W. The web W leaving the combining roll 469 then travels through a coating unit 41! which applies the paste for the bag tube seam and then on through the bag machine where it is formed into a tube, the tube being segmented into individual bag lengths, and each bag length being formed with a bottom.

As illustrated, the apparatus of this invention is driven from the bag machine B through a power take-off shaft 413 (Figs. 2, 3 and 7) to correlate the speed of the cutter unit 23, the coating unit 25 and the cellophane unit 2? with the speed of travel of the liner web I9 as determined by the bag machine. The power take-; off shaft 433 drives a countershaft 4l5 throu h bevel gearing 477. The countershaft 4'45 errtends transversely of the apparatus under the cellophane unit 21 and above the coating unit 25, being journalled in a bearing 4'19 on the right main side frame 33, and in a bearing 453i carried by a longitudinal frame member 482. The countershaft 415 is coupled to drive a main'drive shaft 483 for the apparatus through a compen-1 sating differential 485. The main drive shaft 493 is journalled in a bearing 48'! in the main side frame 33 and in a bearing 499 carried by the longitudinal frame member 492. As shown, the differential 485 comprises an epicyclic bevel gear train having a bevel gear 49I journalled on the shaft 493 for rotation relative to the shaft, a bevel gear 493 fixed on the shaft and idler bevel pinions 495rotary with respect to the shaft in mesh with the bevel gears. The bevel gear 49f is part of a cluster having a spur gear 493 in mesh with a similar spur gear 499 on the countershaft 415. The bevel pinions 495 are carried by the hub of a worm wheel 49! in mesh with a worm 499 on a vertical adjusting rod 99f. The latter is mounted for rotation in bear.- ings carried by the frame and has an adjusting knob, 595 at its upper end. The worm maintains the. worm wheel 497 and pinions 495 stationary with respect to the shaft 483, but may be turnedby means of the rod 50! to turn the worm wheel 49'! and to rotate the pinions 495 around the shaft 433. Thus, drive shaft 493 is always driven at the same speed relative to the power takes off shaft 4'53 (and the bag machine), but its phase in relation to the power take-off shaft 473 (and the bag machine) may be adjusted by turning the knob 595, even while the apparatus is being driven. Thecutter unit 23 is driven from the main drive shaft 483 by a chain 501 trained around sprocket 509 fixed on the drive shaft andthe ate-.35

sprocket 99 on the shaft 89 of the cutter unit. The coating unit 25 is driven from the main drive shaft 483 by a chain drive including a sprocket 511 on the shaft 483, sprockets 513 and 515 on the intaglio roll shaft 153 and the paste roll shaft 111, respectively, and a chain 511 trained around these sprockets to drive the in: taglio roll and the paste roll in the same direc-.- tion.

The cellophane unit 21 is driven from the main drive shaft 483 through a transverse shaft 519 journalled in bearings 521 mounted on the platform 4.53 to the right of the cellophane unit. The shaft 519 is driven from the main drive shaft 493 through a chain and sprocket drive including a sprocket 523 on the shaft 483, a sprocket 525 on the shaft 519, and a chain 521 extending through an opening 528 in the platform. The shaft 519 is coupled as indicated at 529 to a cellophane unit main drive shaft 591 journalled in bearings on the cellophane unit side plates 223 and 225.

Adjustably fixed on the left end of the main cellophane unit drive shaft 531 outward of the left side plate 223 is a gear 535. This meshes with a gear 531 on the left end of the anvil roll shaft 264 to drive the anvil roll 263. Gear 531 also meshes with a gear 539 on the blade holder shaft 211 to drive the blade holder 259 and the cutting blade 281. Fixed on the right end of the anvil roll shaft 254 outward of the right side plate 225 is a sprocket 541. A chain 543 is trained around this sprocket and around a sprocket 545 on the right end of the lower feed roll shaft 242 to drive the lower feed roll 241. A gear 541 on the left end of the shaft 2.42 meshes with a gear 549 on the left end of the upper feed roll shaft 246 to drive the upper feed roll 2.39. A sprocket 551 is fixed on the right end of the lower feed roll shaft 2.42 inward of the sprocket 545. A chain 553 is trained around the sprocket 551 and a sprocket 555 on the right end of the shaft 309 to drive the rear pulleys 393 for the lower belts 291. Fixed on the shaft 399 within and adjacent the right side plate 225 is a gear 551. This meshes with a gear 559 on the shaft 339 to drive the rear pulleys 3-33 for the upper belts 295. An idler gear 551 is mounted for rotation at 563 on the outside of the left side plate 223 in mesh with the gear 531. The idler gear meshes with a gear 555 adjustably fixed on the left end of the shaft 365 to drive the anvil roll 335. Fixed on the right end of the shaft 355 is a gear 561 which meshes with a gear 559 on the right end of the blade holder shaft 315 to drive the blade holder 313 and the blade 389. The shaft 356 is provided at its left end with a knob 511 for manually turning the shaft to turn the blade 389 to its properly phased position in respect to the blade 281.

The forward belts .403 and 405 are driven from the cellophane unit main drive shaft 531 through a drive including a conventional speed changer 513 having an infinitely variable speed ratio. The shaft 531 is coupled to drive the input shaft 515 of the speed changer by a chain and sprocket drive 511. The output shaft 519 of the speed changer is coupled directly to the shaft 341 to which the rearward pulley '421 for the upper belt 403 is fixed to drive the upper belt. A gear 581 on the shaft 341 meshes with a gear 583 on the shaft 315 to drive the lower belt 405 at the same speed as the upper belt. The speed of the belts 493 and 405 may be adjusted to match the speed of travel of the liner web 19 by adjusting the 12 speed changer 512, the latter having an adjusting knob 585 for this purpose.

The liner web 19 is guided for travel through the coating unit 25 by the idler roll I35 and an idler roll 581. From the latter roll it travels over the combining roll and on into the bag machine B. The speed of the belts 403 and 405 of the patch feeder 401 is adjusted to match or at least substantially to match the speed of the liner web by adjusting the speed changer 513. The drive for the web cutter unit 23 is so designed as to drive the cutter roll 51 at an angular speed such that the linear speed of the cutting edge 51 of the die 59 matches or at least substantially matches the linear speed of the liner web 19. The drive for the coating unit 25 is so designed that the raised peripheral areas 139 of the inf-a2- lio roll 131 travel at a linear speed which matches or at least substantially matches the speed of the liner web 19. The drive for the cutting units 259 and 353 (including chain 521, shafts 519 and 531, gear 535 meshing with gear 531, gear 531 meshing with gear 539 and also with idler gear 551, the latter meshing with gear 565, and gear 561 meshing with gear 569) is so designed and phased that the cutting units make one revoluv tion for each bag-forming operation of the bag machine and thus cut a patch for every bag. The cutting units 259 and 353 are so phased in respect to the speed of the cellophane strip that the blade 399 of the cutting unit 353 cuts the strip in the same line as the cuts made by the blade 291 of the cutting unit 259. The hub of the gear 535 s adiustably fixed .on the shaft 31 so h t entire cellophane unit y b ad u ted t be n phase with the bag mac h b of the ear 555 is adiustably fi d n t s aft 355 so that the cutting un t 2. and 363 may bead J'usted t be n p ase with h oth Th d e from the shaft 254 to he f e ol s m nd 24 is so des gned as to f d the ce pha r p at a sp ed such that atc es f th de red e th (shorter than the istance between s cc ss e window openin s th w 9 a e t m t e strip- Th s speed ess than the speed o the patch feeding belts 403 and 405 and less than the speed of the web 19. The drive for the stripeed ns be ts 2 5 and 2 gh chain 543 s 9 designed as t dri e th belts at a linear spee sli htly greate than h s e d at h h h Strip is fed by the rolls 33a and w. This maintains the portion of the strip between the cutting units 259 and 3 9 u der ten Operation a foll The supply roll L of the liner web 19 is jour-. nailed by means i the ar 39 in 0 a i n to the lon ud nal ente line of h apparatus so that the indo ope gs 9 a t in p per y offset po itifln, :i- 9,, on one side of the center line 0! t e web. as lustrat d i F g. 2; The suppl roll P at the prin ed eb 11 is mounted lightly Q lset mam the supply oll L of l ner web l to prpvide for the usual transverse offset 0 of these Webs isee Fig. 14). it will be understood that the window op nin s 1 are p e en in h print d web 11 to ali n with the window openin s 8 cut in the liner web 19 with the webs combined in such offset elat on {Ih liner "web I? s Pu led t g e web formin unit 2 f m the supply roll L b the ba machine B 91? .a predetermined speed and in path predetermined by the i ler g i e ro s 1 09 111, I31, 133. 135, .591 and the combining roll 29. In the course of the travel of the web 19 through the cutting unit 23, the cutting die 59, in cooperattion with the anvil roll 63, cuts out pieces of the web to form the window openings 9 therein. These openings are formed at equally spaced intervals along the length of the web, the spacing of the openings being equal to the length of the bag tubes from which the bags I are formed. The cut-out pieces of web are impaled on the pins 79 and carried around with the anvil roll 63 to the stripper blade H5, which strips them from the pins.

The liner web I9, leaving the cutter unit 23 with the window openings 9 cut therein, is guided for travel through the coating unit 25. In the course of travel of the web through the coating unit, the intaglio roll I 3'1 applies paste from the grooves I43 to the side of the web engaging the roll in a pattern around each window opening 9 in the web. This transfer of paste from the grooves I42 to the web takes place at a fixed point in the path of travel of the web. The intaglio roll rotates in such phase relation to the web that the paste grooves I43 meet the window openings in the web. The two paste grooves I43 are circumferentially spaced a distance corresponding to the spacing of the window openings. From the coating unit 25, the web I 9 travels over the combining roll 29, with its paste-bearing side facing upward and engaged by the forward portion of the horizontal reach of the upper patch-feeding belt 403, and then on into the bag machine 13.

As the web I9 travels through the web-forming unit 2| at the speed determined by the speed of the bag machine B, the cellophane unit 2? is driven in timed relation to the speed of the web. The feed rolls 239 and 24I pull the cello phane strip 235 from the supply roll C at a speed lower than the speed of the web I9. The belts 295 and 297 cooperate with the feed rolls 239 and 24! as a strip feeder for feeding the strip through the two cutting units 259 and 363 under tension at this speed. As the cutting edges 289 on the roll 269 meet the anvil roll 263 they cut through the cellophane strip across a portion of its width without completely severing the strip, thus initiating a transverse line of severance. This line of severance travels forward and as the cutting edges 393 on the roll 313 meet the anvil roll 365, they cut through the strip across the remainder of its width, this cutting off a length of the strip at its foremost end to form a patch II. The length of the patch is determined by the length of strip that travels through the cutters during one revolution thereof. A patch I I is thus formed for each window opening 9 in the liner web I9.

The end of the cellophane strip leaving the feed belts 295 and 291 is guided between the patch-feeding belts 403 and 405. As soon as the second cutting unit 363 completes the severance of the strip to form a patch I I, the belts 403 and 405 feed the patch forward away from the :freshly cut end of the cellophane strip in the direction of travel of the web I9 and at the same or substantially the same speed as the speed of :the web. Since the patch I I is fed forward faster than the cellophane strip 235, the patch separates from the end of the slower-moving strip, as indicated at S in Fig. 10. This accounts for the spacing of the patches l I on the liner web I9. The action of the cellophane strip cutters is timed to occur at intervals related to the passage of a window opening 9 over the combining roll 29 in such manner that patches II are fed into position over the window openings, becoming adhered to the liner web I9 by the adhesive I 14 previously applied to the web by the coating unit 25. The patches travel out from between the belts 403 and 405 under the forward portion of the upper belt 403 and on to the liner web I9 travelling over the combining roll 29.

The liner web [9, with the patches I I adhered thereto over the window openings 9, then travels into the bag machine B where the printed web I! is combined therewith. It will be understood that the web I1 is phased for registry of the window openings 1 therein with the window openings 9 in the liner web l9.

The patch feeder 40I is located to feed the patches I! over the window openings 9 in the web I9 at a fixed point in the path of travel of the web, viz., at the combining roll 29. The strip feeding rolls 239 and 24l, the belts 295 and 291, and the cutting units 259 and 363 constitute a patch former for intermittently forming the patches I I from the strip 235 of cellophane at its foremost end and for delivering the patches to the patch feeder 40! for application to the web I9. This patch former arrangement is particularly suitable for forming patches from the strip 235 of cellophane, which is a difficult material to work.

It will be understood that the liner web I9 could be pre-cut with the window openings 9 prior to being wound into the roll L, in which case the liner web cutting unit 23 could be omitted. It is preferred, however, to incorporate the window opening cutter in the apparatus for applying the patches to the liner web. It will be further understood that it is within the scope of the invention to aifix the patches I I to the liner web I9 other than by the adhesive l5 applied to the liner web.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions, methods and materials without de parting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In combination, means for guiding two continuous webs each having a series of window openings therein spaced at equal intervals along their length for travel at a predetermined speed in spaced-apart paths which ultimately meet at a combining guide for combining the two webs in superposed relation, with the window openings thereof in register, means for applying adhesive to the side of one of said webs which faces the other web in a pattern around each window opening in said one web, a strip feeder for continuously feeding a strip of window-forming material toward said one web at a speed lower than the speed of the web, a cutter for transversely severing the strip into patches shorter than the spacing 'of the window openings, and a patch feeder for speeding up and feeding the patches of window-forming material severed from the strip into position covering the window openings in said one web at a fixed point in the path of its travel past the point of application of the adhesive, the patch feeder being adapted to feed the patches on to the adhesive-bearing side of said one web in the direction of its travel and at substantially the same speed.

2. In combination, means for guiding a first continuous web having a series of window openings therein spaced at equal intervals along its length for travel in a first predetermined path at a predetermined speed, means for applying adhesive to one side of said first web in a pattern around each window .opening at a fixed point in the path of its travel, a strip feeder for continuously feeding a strip of window-forming material toward said first web at a speed lower than the speed of said web, a cutter .for transversely severing the strip into patches shorter than the spacing of the window openings, a patch feeder for speeding up and feeding the patches of window-forming material severed .from the strip into position over the window openings in said first web at a fixed point in the path -of its travel past the point of application of the adhesive, the patch feeder beingadapted to feed the patches on to the adhesive-bearing side of said first web in the direction of its travel and at substantially the same speed, and means forguiding a second continuous web having a series of window .openings therein spaced at said equal intervals along its length for travel .at said predetermined speed in a second predetermined path which ultimately meets said first predetermined path at a means for combining the two webs located past the point of application .of the patches to the first web, said webs .being combined with their window openings :in register.

3. Apparatus for forming a continuous composite web consisting of two individual webs having registering window openings therein spaced at intervals along their length with patches of window-forming material sandwiched between the plies in positionclosing the window openings and adhered to the individual webs, comprising a support for a supply roll of one of .said webs, a combiningguidetover which said .one web may be pulled from the .supplyroll .at a predetermined speed, a cutterfoixcutting the window openings insaid one web .as it .is pulled from the supply roll, a .coating unit for applying adhesive in a pattern around the window openings insaidpne web as it travels from said cutter to said combining guide, astrip feeder for continuouslyfeeding a strip of window-forming material toward said one web at a speed 'lower'than the speed of the web, a cutter for transversely severing the strip into patches shorter than the spacing .of the window openings, .a ,patchfeeder located to receive the patches of window-forming material severed from the strip .and tospeedthem up and feed them into position over the window openings in said one web as they travel over the combining guide, a support for a supply ;roll of the other of said webs,.and.a second combining guide over which both websmay bepulled and at which they may be combined after the patches have been applied to saidone web with their window openings in register.

4. The method of making two-ply window'bags comprising the steps .of continuouslyfeeding into a bag machine atlbag machine speed a'first web having a series of window openings therein spaced at equal intervals along thelength of the web, applying adhesive in a pattern around "the window openings in said jfirst web as .it travels toward the machine, continuously feeding arstrip of window-forming materialtoward saidfirst web at a speedllower than web speed, segmenting the strip into patches shorter than the spacing of the window openings in the web, speeding up the segmented patches .tothespeedor the web and feeding themonto the webaover the window openings therein and .upon the patterns .of .ad-

hesive surrounding the window op ni s ,cc tinuously feeding into th ba ma hine t as machine speed a second web having a series of window openings spaced at said equal intervals along its length and combining it with the first web subsequent to the application of the patches to the first web with the window openings of the two webs in register, thus forming a composite two-ply windowed web, said composite twoply windowed web, in the bag machine, being formedinto a tube, and the tube being segmented into individual bag lengths and .each bag length formed with a bottom.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 further comprising the step of applying adhesive in a pattern around the window openings in the second web prior to combining it with said first web.

16. In combination with a bag machine adapted automatically to form a web of bag material traveling at a predetermined speed into a tube, to segment the tube into individual bag lengths, and to bottom each bag length, apparatus for supplying two-ply window bag material to the machine comprising means for continuously feeding into the machine two continuous webs each having a series of window openings therein spaced at equal intervals along their length with the webs guided to travel .at said predetermined speed in spaced-apart paths which ultimately meet at a combining guide for combining the two webs in superposed relation and with the window openings thereof in register, means for applying adhesive to the side of one of said webs which faces the other web in a pattern around each window opening in said one web, a strip feeder for continuously feeding a strip of window-forming material toward said one web at a speed lower than the .speed of the web, a cutter for transversely severing the strip into patches shorter than the spacing of the window openings, and a patch feeder for speeding up and feeding the patches of window-forming material severed from the strip into position covering the window openings in said one web at a fixed point in the path of its travel past the point of application of the adhesive, the patch feeder being adapted to feed the patches on to the adhesive-bearing side of said one web in the direction of its travel and at substantially thesame speed. I

'7. Incombination with a bag machine adapted automatically to form a web .Qf bag material traveling at a predetermined speed into a tube, to-segment the tube into individual bag lengths, and to bottom each bag ilength, apparatus for supplying two-ply window bag material to the machine comprising a support fora supply roll of one of said plies, a combining guideover which said one ply is pulled from the supply roll at said predetermined speed, a cutter for cutting window openings in said one ply as ,it is pulled from the supply roll, a coating unit for applying adhesive "in a pattern around the window openings n said one ply asit travels from saidcutter t0 'Sald combining uide, .a strip feeder for continuously feeding astriprof window-formingmaterial toward said one ply at a speed lower than the speed of the ply, a cutter for transversely severing the strip into patches shorter than the spacing of the window openings, a patch feeder located to receive the patches of window-forming material severed from the stripandto speedthem up and feed them into position over the window openings in said one plyas they travel over the combining guide, a..support for a :supply roll ,of the .other of .said plies, -said other ply :having window openings pre-cut therein, and a second combining guide over which both plies are pulled and at which they are combined with their window openings in register after the patches have been applied to said one ply.

DANIEL BELCHER.

RUSSELL J. WILLIAMS.

MILTON J. HEIMOS.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number Number Name Date Wood Sept. 2, 1930 Klinger May 8, 1934 Jager Aug. 7, 1934 Potdevin Mar. 26, 1935 Craggs Apr. 16, 1940 Leary June 11, 1940 Jaeger et a1 June 2, 1942 Grim Oct. 19, 1943 Stevens et a1 June 13, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Denmark July 10, 1933 

